Variety of geranium named Princess

ABSTRACT

The new variety is characterized by its wiry, but strong, controlled growth habit which enables it to stand upright without artificial support as well as its multitude of small blooms which are slow to shatter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×domesticum known by the varietal name Princess (Oglevee No.425; Walters No. 37 W-O)). The new variety was discovered by Mr. ErnestWalters in a selected breeding program in Hucknall, Nottingham, GreatBritain. The new variety is a selection from the crossing of P.citrosum, P. acerifolium and Carisbrooke. The new variety was firstasexually reproduced in the United States by cuttings at Oglevee, Ltd.,Connellsville, Pa. in January of 1987. The new variety has beenasexually reproduced by cuttings of Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa.over a several year period. It has also been trialed at Connellsvilleand has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics throughsuccessive propagations.

The cultivar when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville, Pa.using natural light and 60° F. night and 68° F. day, has a response timeof 14 weeks from a rooted cutting, not pinched, to flowering in a 6 in.pot. The response time was determined on plants grown in soilless mediaemploying constant fertilizer 150-200 parts per million of nitrogen andpotassium in full light. The rooted cuttings were potted on Nov. 1, 1989and flowered on Feb. 15, 1990.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new cultivar, withthe colors set forth therein being as nearly true as possible with colorillustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee, Ltd. inConnellsville, Pa. The plant history was taken on 14-week plantsblossomed under natural light in a greenhouse and the color readingswere taken indoors under 200-220 foot candles of florescent cool whitelight. Color references are primarily to the RHS Color Chart of TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London.

THE PLANT

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×domesticum.

Commercial.--Regal Geranium.

Form: Neat, mound-like.

Height.--35 cm from media surface.

Growth.--Wiry, strong but controlled growth habit.

Strength: Stands upright without artificial support; continuousflowering.

Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment.

Leaves:

Size.--6.1 cm to 8.2 cm across.

Shape.--Depressed ovate; Base: Reniform.

Margin.--Serrately lobed.

Texture.--Leathery; very pubescent.

Color.--Top: Yellow/Green Group 144A. Bottom: Yellow/Green Group 146C.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation. Color: Yellow/Green Group 146C.

Petioles:

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146B.

Length.--5.5 cm to 6.3 cm.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146C.

Internodes.--1.0 cm to 1.5 cm in length.

THE BUD

Shape: Elliptical.

Size: 1.5 cm to 2.0 cm in length; bud just beginning to show color.

INFLORESCENCE

Blooming habit: Continuous blooming; multitude of small blooms.

Size.--6.5 cm to 7.0 cm across.

Borne.--Florets on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle.

Florets:

Form.--Cupped.

Color.--Top: Purple Group 77D with a dark blotch on the upper twopetals. Center: Blotch-Greyed/Purple Group 187A. Bottom: Purple Group76C.

Petals.--Five petals in number; separate; not united; margin entire.

Size.--3.5 cm to 4.0 cm across when fully open.

Texture and appearance.--Smooth (satin like); appearance from a distanceis a light lavender flower with a deep purple blotch atop medium greenfoliage.

Petaloids: None present.

Pedicel:

Length.--1.5 cm to 2.0 cm in length.

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146C.

Peduncle: 6.0 cm to 9.0 cm in length.

Color.--Yellow/Green Group 146C.

Disease resistance: Not known.

Lasting quality: Very slow to shatter, continuous blooming.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Anthers.--2.0 mm to 3.0 mm in length; 7 to 8 in number.

Filaments.--9 mm to 15 mm in length. Color: White at base to a verylight pink at tip.

Pollen.--Color: Greyed/Orange Group 171A.

Pistils:

Number.--One; 5 to 6 part stigma.

Length.--16 mm to 18 mm.

Stigma.--5 to 6 parted. Color: Red/Purple Group 60C.

Style.--1.0 cm. Color: Red/Purple Group 60C.

Ovaries: 5 mm to 6 mm in length; very pubescent; superior.

Color.--White to green.

Fruit: None observed.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

This new Pelargonium×domesticum variety is superior to the currentmarket variety Parisienne. This variety has a neater upright habit, itdoes not exhibit the procumbent habit of Parisienne. It is easier toroot, produces more cuttings and has the ability to withstand abuse witha stronger, wirier plant structure. The flower color is similar toParisienne but there are many more florets which are slower to shatterproviding a longer flower show for the consumer.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plantsubstantially as shown and described.